Inaugural Alabama Seafood Cook Off slated for May

Alabama Gulf Seafood announced this week the first ever Alabama Seafood Cook Off will be held in Montgomery on Friday, May 1. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Southern Makers VIP event held at E.A.T. South Downtown Farm with our favorite Martie Duncan serving as emcee. The winner of the event will go on to represent our fair state in the Great American Seafood Cook Off (GASCO) later this year.

This is a new approach to determining who will compete at the big dance. “In past years we have selected our GASCO representative based on previous participant’s recommendations,” said Chris Blankenship, program administrator for Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission and director of Alabama Marine Sources. “This year we really wanted to pit chef against chef and select our state’s showcase chef based on a winning recipe cooked before a panel of judges.”

The teams competing in Montgomery will consist of one lead chef and one assistant. Those of you interested in competing should visit www.EatAlabamaSeafood.com for registration information. Make us proud, Gulf Coast.

Greer’s making positive changes to midtown/downtown stores The last few years have been buyout after buyout of the grocery store at Dauphin and I-65. This is the one closest to my home, and my kids had no idea what to call it. Through all of the purchasing and repurchasing nothing much has changed other than the name. That is until now.

It seems the “little grocery that could” is getting more than a new sign and a little bit of paint. Now called Greer’s Cash Saver, the Midtown location is going through some upgrades. The produce section is a bit better, the wine selection has expanded and the deli has added a salad bar and a dining area is in the works.

Other than moving some of the aisles around the biggest change could be the meat department, which is looking better than ever.

“After five years under four names, Food World, Belle Foods, Food Champs, and now Greer’s Cash Saver,” said Tony the butcher, “the change to Greer’s has been very positive and exciting with a larger selection of meats, including a gourmet section and a well-staffed highly professional meat department.”

Meat cutters are the heart and soul of a good grocery. Let’s keep Tony happy.

Up next for Greer’s is the taking over of the former Save-a-lot at Government and Broad. An upgrade to a nice grocery store at this location would be like a dream come true for our downtown and Oakleigh residents. We will keep you posted on the progress.

Benjamin’s on Airport reopened. We are pretty sure. After a brief hiatus from the sit-down restaurant world, Airport Boulevard’s Benjamin’s is open again. Fans of the Burga Kaboose can now enjoy their “burga” personalities the way they used to, in a restaurant. Though the sign out front says “Benjamin’s Now Open” it doesn’t mean the loop’s burger joint is keeping regular hours.

Pay close attention to their Facebook page for evening hours, specials, if and when Sunday brunch is available, and of course the Burga Kaboose schedule.

Moe’s Original Bar B Que opens in Foley With a restaurant in Orange Beach, one in Daphne and two in Mobile, it makes sense Moe’s Original Bar B Que would open another location in Foley. After all, those shopping at the outlet malls and hanging out at the sportsplex deserve good barbecue too, right?

The latest location at 20733 Miflin Road is a hop, skip and a jump from all the amenities Foley has to offer. The building is largely made of repurposed materials such as barn wood and rusted tin to make it look like it has been there forever. Expect as much local seafood and produce as they can muster. Being as close as they are to some of our areas best fish and farmer’s markets, that shouldn’t be hard.

Expect the menu to be the same as the other locations, and as usual the family-friendly atmosphere of Moe’s will also have a fully stocked bar. What’s next Moe’s? Bay Minette?

Food Truck Friday at Bienville Square Get ready for another installment of Food Truck Friday, April 17. A convoy of food trucks descend upon Bienville Square and you will have your choice of many items from Geaux Boy, Conecuh Charlie’s, Grits and Grub, Los Tacos, Benjamin’s Burga Kaboose, Kona Ice, PNH Cream, Lala’s Cruisin Kitchen, Bob’s Famous Hot Dogs, Von’s Food Truck and the Old 27 Crawfish Wagon.

Geaux Boy’s Ray Ray Burger

Grab your lunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Try your best to make the rounds and spread some love. Though I have not sampled all of these trucks I can report that the ones of I have tried are amazing. I expect the others will be bringing their “A” game. If you stop by the Old 27 Crawfish Wagon be sure to ask about Bill E’s small batch bacon.